Pascal Ovals in Projective Planes

Let \(C\) be an oval in a projective plane. If every non-degenerate hexagon inscribed in \(C\) has the property that the three points of intersection of its pairs of opposite sides are collinear, then \(C\) is called a Pascal oval. \textit{F. Bueckenhout} has proved [Arch. Math. 17, 89--93 (1966; Zbl 0136.42401)] that if a projective plane contains a Pascal oval \(C\) then it is a Pappian plane and \(C\) is a conic. \textit{R. Artzy} has given a simpler proof of this result [Am. Math. Mon. 75, 143--146 (1968; Zbl 0173.22402)] using coordinates on \(C\), but he imposes extra conditions on \(C\) that have the effect of ensuring that the characteristic of the coordinatizing field is not 2. My aims in the present paper are (a) to show that, with slight modifications, Artzy's proof is valid without his extra conditions, (b) to emphasize from the start the distinction between planes of characteristic 2 and other planes, and (c) to prove as much as possible about \(C\) by synthetic methods, thus providing alternative proofs of some of Artzy's lemmas. Included in (c) are alternative (and, 1 think, simpler) proofs of some of Bueckenhout's lemmas. We can define involutions and axial mappings on \(C\), and we show that every involution is an axial mapping, every axial mapping is the product of two involutions, and the axial mappings form a group, strictly triply transitive on the points of \(C\). We also develop synthetically the basic theory of poles and polars with respect to \(C\) (when the characteristic is not 2), although this is not required for the proof of the main theorem. We introduce a coordinate for each point on \(C\), analogous to the parameter \(t\) of the point \((t,t^{-1})\) on the hyperbola \(xy=1\) in Euclidean geometry. We can then set up a coordinate system for the whole plane. We use the lemmas about axial mappings to show that the coordinates form a field with respect to suitably defined operations, and that every line has a linear equation. Thus the plane is Pappian. [On the last line but one of p. 1469, for conic read oval.]

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